Reporter's Note:I write to President Obama every day, even when I don’t feel like it. I hope he reads my letters with the same sense of duty. But probably not.

Dear Mr. President,

One of the great characters of my youth, one of the people who most fascinated me, was the great heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. I loved his sense of style, his elegance in the ring, and the fluid way that he transitioned from outrageous showboating into pure, earth shaking boxing in a flash.

His smile was infectious, and as much as others hated his braggadocio, I saw it as just part of an extraordinarily captivating act. Maybe if I were older I would have been more troubled by all the controversy over his anti-war stance, or perhaps by many of the other things he said over the years, but I was young and he was simply a hero.

I passed him once in the New Orleans airport, already severely weakened by his illness, but it was still like seeing a mythical being.

Recently I was reading through some of his quotes, and I found one that particularly struck me. He said something along the lines of, I hated every minute of training, but I liked winning, and that was the cost.

Whether we’re talking about you trying to get re-elected, or me trying to make some progress at the office, or whatever, I find so much wisdom in that sentiment. No one really likes doing all the hard, unnoticed work that leads to success. It is hard to feel good in the long, tedious hours of tending to details and doing what it right even though no one seems to be noticing.

But over my years I have tried very hard to embrace my work, whatever form it may take; whether on the job, or exercising, or cleaning the patio, or brushing the dog. I try to tell myself: This is the cost of a good life, and your life has been very good. Don’t complain. Don’t shirk. Do your duty, and more good will come.

Just something that is on my mind this Wednesday. Give a call if you have a moment. I’m, of course, always happy to talk.

Editor's Note: For more on the Republican battle for the presidential nomination, tune in to AC360° at 8 p.m. ET tonight.

(CNN) – Mitt Romney is on the top or tied for the lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in new surveys in the first four states to vote in next year's primary and caucus calendar.

According to CNN/Time/ORC International polls released Wednesday, the former Massachusetts governor continues to be the overwhelming front-runner in New Hampshire, holds a lead over the other GOP presidential candidates in Florida, and is basically tied for the top spot with businessman Herman Cain in Iowa and South Carolina.

Five months into his administration, Haiti's president, Michel Martelly, is looking to turn his country around. He also wants to reinstitute the country’s army, which was disbanded in 1995. But with an estimated half a million Haitians still living in makeshift tents, following the January 2010 earthquake, and Haiti’s new government just taking root, some Haitians are questioning Martelly’s priorities.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, AC360’s Vladimir Duthiers sat down with President Martelly to discusses his position on Haiti's military, the challenges of protecting and educating children, and why – despite widespread opposition in his country – he wants the United Nations to remain in Haiti for the time being.

The Obama administration announced a new plan that claims to help millions of home-owners, but it may only aid a small percentage of people hurt in the housing meltdown. Anderson Cooper is Keeping Them Honest.